MEMES TO AN END

Portsmouth’s Jack Whatmough was one of several to show their support for the campaign with a rainbow photo-shoot in London last week.

The 21-year-old said: “Anyone should be allowed to play, support or work in football, no matter colour, religion or sexuality.

“It’s something that is normal in day-to-day life, so I don’t think just because you’re a footballer you can’t come out as gay.

“I’ve never heard a homophobic chant at Fratton Park or any stadium I’ve played at. For me to be playing first-team football for the last four years and not have heard a chant means that something good has happened.

The 34-year-old added: “You hear some chants which you think are a bit close to the mark but I think that’s definitely less than it used to be.

“When I used to watch football as a kid at Millwall, some of the things that went on were far worse than they are now.

“We’re getting a lot closer now so let’s hope it keeps going in the direction it’s going.

“The Rainbow Laces campaign raises awareness. If you get even a few lads wearing these on a Saturday, with all the goals being shown on TV, there’s so much exposure. It’s easy to forget. It jogs people’s memories to make sure we’re keeping on top of it and standards aren’t slipping.”

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho wears a rainbow armband last season

All 92 league clubs will be supporting Stonewall’s initiative with various activities.

EFL clubs will have rainbow-coloured corner flags this weekend and match officials will wear rainbow laces.

Supporters are clearly backing the movement too with 187,153 rainbow laces bought at the time of writing this article.

Stonewall’s sports campaigns manager Jehmeil Lemonius added: “We want to create a legacy where LGBT people feel safe in stands, we have a few gay players, we have openly gay football teams. That’s the aim.”

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